Crocs upbeat despite loss of key players
Newly-appointed head coach Ian Gillian says FAS is very positive in prepping the team for new season
They go for better future, and on the positive side we can groom the younger ones and give them the opportunity to play, and this is what football and development is all about. — Ian Gillian, Sarawak head coach
KUCHING: The Crocs need to soldier on despite the departure of several key local players as they are preparing for the 2018 Malaysian Premier League season.
Newly-appointed head coach Ian Gillian, who is also the technical director, said Football Association of Sarawak (FAS) has been very positive and showed great commitment in preparing the team for the new season.
“The dedication shown by my team, the management and the players has been second to none, and I believe we got a good group and foundation for the future,” said Ian when met by thesundaypost at a Hi Tea session between FAS and members of the media cum friendly match at Stadium Negeri yesterday.
Ian said some of the key players have moved on, but the Crocs just need to look at the situation positively.
“They go for better future, and on the positive side we can groom the younger ones and give them the opportunity to play, and this is what football and development is all about,” he lamented.
Ian also said they are looking at the possibility of bringing imports, but that would depend on the management budget.
Meanwhile, Corporate Affairs Assistant Minister and FAS independent board member Datuk Abdullah Saidol called for supporters to rally behind the team as they are the players’ source of strength and motivation.
“If most of us can support an English Premier League team, which most of us had never step our feet on to their stadium before, why not show our patriotism to our local team too?” he questioned.
Abdullah said the fans must be patience and they can’t expect an instant result as success would take time, moreover for a newly formed team which consists of young local players.
“We do hope that the state sports ministry will look into supporting the state football team, and for the corporate sector to step forward for sponsorship of our beloved state team,” he added.